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Easy CCTV: motion + gstreamer

I once suspected that the cleaning woman stealing my sugar at work. But how can I prove this? Ok. Let's see what I have: one Asus EeeBox PC nettop and Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920. It will serve!

What I want to see? Simple CCTV solution with HD quality with sound and good bitrate... and with motion detection!

With little Googling I find very nice CCTV solution with motion detection but without sound - its the Motion! That's not bad: motion can run external scripts by start/stop events!

Presets

I had install Ubuntu server on my nettop. And install the Motion with simple typing:

zmb@z0 ~ $ sudo apt-get install motion

Configuration

Then just create motion.conf where do you want.
My motion.conf is:

############################################################
# Daemon
############################################################
# Start in daemon (background) mode and release terminal (default: off)
daemon off
# File to store the process ID, also called pid file. (default: not defined)
process_id_file /var/run/motion/motion.pid
############################################################
# Basic Setup Mode
############################################################
# Start in Setup-Mode, daemon disabled. (default: off)
setup_mode off
###########################################################
# Capture device options
############################################################
# Videodevice to be used for capturing (default /dev/video0)
# for FreeBSD default is /dev/bktr0
videodevice /dev/video0
# v4l2_palette allows to choose preferable palette to be use by motion
# to capture from those supported by your videodevice. (default: 8)
# E.g. if your videodevice supports both V4L2_PIX_FMT_SBGGR8 and
# V4L2_PIX_FMT_MJPEG then motion will by default use V4L2_PIX_FMT_MJPEG.
# Setting v4l2_palette to 1 forces motion to use V4L2_PIX_FMT_SBGGR8
# instead.
#
# Values :
# V4L2_PIX_FMT_SN9C10X : 0 'S910'
# V4L2_PIX_FMT_SBGGR8 : 1 'BA81'
# V4L2_PIX_FMT_MJPEG : 2 'MJPEG'
# V4L2_PIX_FMT_JPEG : 3 'JPEG'
# V4L2_PIX_FMT_RGB24 : 4 'RGB3'
# V4L2_PIX_FMT_UYVY : 5 'UYVY'
# V4L2_PIX_FMT_YUYV : 6 'YUYV'
# V4L2_PIX_FMT_YUV422P : 7 '422P'
# V4L2_PIX_FMT_YUV420 : 8 'YU12'
v4l2_palette 6
# The video input to be used (default: 8)
# Should normally be set to 0 or 1 for video/TV cards, and 8 for USB cameras
input 8
# Rotate image this number of degrees. The rotation affects all saved images as
# well as mpeg movies. Valid values: 0 (default = no rotation), 90, 180 and 270.
rotate 180
# Image width (pixels). Valid range: Camera dependent, default: 352
width 1600
# Image height (pixels). Valid range: Camera dependent, default: 288
height 1200
# Maximum number of frames to be captured per second.
# Valid range: 2-100. Default: 100 (almost no limit).
framerate 100
# Minimum time in seconds between capturing picture frames from the camera.
# Default: 0 = disabled - the capture rate is given by the camera framerate.
# This option is used when you want to capture images at a rate lower than 2 per second.
minimum_frame_time 0
# Let motion regulate the brightness of a video device (default: off).
# The auto_brightness feature uses the brightness option as its target value.
# If brightness is zero auto_brightness will adjust to average brightness value 128.
# Only recommended for cameras without auto brightness
auto_brightness off
# Set the initial brightness of a video device.
# If auto_brightness is enabled, this value defines the average brightness level
# which Motion will try and adjust to.
# Valid range 0-255, default 0 = disabled
brightness 0
# Set the contrast of a video device.
# Valid range 0-255, default 0 = disabled
contrast 0
# Set the saturation of a video device.
# Valid range 0-255, default 0 = disabled
saturation 0
# Set the hue of a video device (NTSC feature).
# Valid range 0-255, default 0 = disabled
hue 0
############################################################
# Round Robin (multiple inputs on same video device name)
############################################################
# Number of frames to capture in each roundrobin step (default: 1)
roundrobin_frames 1
# Number of frames to skip before each roundrobin step (default: 1)
roundrobin_skip 1
# Try to filter out noise generated by roundrobin (default: off)
switchfilter off
############################################################
# Motion Detection Settings:
############################################################
# Threshold for number of changed pixels in an image that
# triggers motion detection (default: 1500)
threshold 1500
# Automatically tune the threshold down if possible (default: off)
threshold_tune on
# Noise threshold for the motion detection (default: 32)
noise_level 32
# Automatically tune the noise threshold (default: on)
noise_tune on
# Despeckle motion image using (e)rode or (d)ilate or (l)abel (Default: not defined)
# Recommended value is EedDl. Any combination (and number of) of E, e, d, and D is valid.
# (l)abeling must only be used once and the 'l' must be the last letter.
# Comment out to disable
despeckle EedDl
# Detect motion in predefined areas (1 - 9). Areas are numbered like that: 1 2 3
# A script (on_area_detected) is started immediately when motion is 4 5 6
# detected in one of the given areas, but only once during an event. 7 8 9
# One or more areas can be specified with this option. (Default: not defined)
; area_detect value
# PGM file to use as a sensitivity mask.
# Full path name to. (Default: not defined)
; mask_file value
# Dynamically create a mask file during operation (default: 0)
# Adjust speed of mask changes from 0 (off) to 10 (fast)
smart_mask_speed 0
# Ignore sudden massive light intensity changes given as a percentage of the picture
# area that changed intensity. Valid range: 0 - 100 , default: 0 = disabled
lightswitch 0
# Picture frames must contain motion at least the specified number of frames
# in a row before they are detected as true motion. At the default of 1, all
# motion is detected. Valid range: 1 to thousands, recommended 1-5
minimum_motion_frames 1
# Specifies the number of pre-captured (buffered) pictures from before motion
# was detected that will be output at motion detection.
# Recommended range: 0 to 5 (default: 0)
# Do not use large values! Large values will cause Motion to skip video frames and
# cause unsmooth mpegs. To smooth mpegs use larger values of post_capture instead.
pre_capture 3
# Number of frames to capture after motion is no longer detected (default: 0)
post_capture 25
# Gap is the seconds of no motion detection that triggers the end of an event
# An event is defined as a series of motion images taken within a short timeframe.
# Recommended value is 60 seconds (Default). The value 0 is allowed and disables
# events causing all Motion to be written to one single mpeg file and no pre_capture.
gap 1
# Maximum length in seconds of an mpeg movie
# When value is exceeded a new mpeg file is created. (Default: 0 = infinite)
max_mpeg_time 600
# Always save images even if there was no motion (default: off)
output_all off
############################################################
# Image File Output
############################################################
# Output 'normal' pictures when motion is detected (default: on)
# Valid values: on, off, first, best, center
# When set to 'first', only the first picture of an event is saved.
# Picture with most motion of an event is saved when set to 'best'.
# Picture with motion nearest center of picture is saved when set to 'center'.
# Can be used as preview shot for the corresponding movie.
output_normal first
# Output pictures with only the pixels moving object (ghost images) (default: off)
output_motion off
# The quality (in percent) to be used by the jpeg compression (default: 75)
quality 100
# Output ppm images instead of jpeg (default: off)
ppm off
############################################################
# FFMPEG related options
# Film (mpeg) file output, and deinterlacing of the video input
# The options movie_filename and timelapse_filename are also used
# by the ffmpeg feature
############################################################
# Use ffmpeg to encode mpeg movies in realtime (default: off)
ffmpeg_cap_new on
# Use ffmpeg to make movies with only the pixels moving
# object (ghost images) (default: off)
#ffmpeg_cap_motion off
# Use ffmpeg to encode a timelapse movie
# Default value 0 = off - else save frame every Nth second
ffmpeg_timelapse 0
# The file rollover mode of the timelapse video
# Valid values: hourly, daily (default), weekly-sunday, weekly-monday, monthly, manual
ffmpeg_timelapse_mode daily
# Bitrate to be used by the ffmpeg encoder (default: 400000)
# This option is ignored if ffmpeg_variable_bitrate is not 0 (disabled)
ffmpeg_bps 2228800
# Enables and defines variable bitrate for the ffmpeg encoder.
# ffmpeg_bps is ignored if variable bitrate is enabled.
# Valid values: 0 (default) = fixed bitrate defined by ffmpeg_bps,
# or the range 2 - 31 where 2 means best quality and 31 is worst.
ffmpeg_variable_bitrate 0
# Codec to used by ffmpeg for the video compression.
# Timelapse mpegs are always made in mpeg1 format independent from this option.
# Supported formats are: mpeg1 (ffmpeg-0.4.8 only), mpeg4 (default), and msmpeg4.
# mpeg1 - gives you files with extension .mpg
# mpeg4 or msmpeg4 - gives you files with extension .avi
# msmpeg4 is recommended for use with Windows Media Player because
# it requires no installation of codec on the Windows client.
# swf - gives you a flash film with extension .swf
# flv - gives you a flash video with extension .flv
# ffv1 - FF video codec 1 for Lossless Encoding ( experimental )
# mov - QuickTime ( testing )
ffmpeg_video_codec mpeg4
# Use ffmpeg to deinterlace video. Necessary if you use an analog camera
# and see horizontal combing on moving objects in video or pictures.
# (default: off)
ffmpeg_deinterlace off
############################################################
# Snapshots (Traditional Periodic Webcam File Output)
############################################################
# Make automated snapshot every N seconds (default: 0 = disabled)
snapshot_interval 0
############################################################
# Text Display
# %Y = year, %m = month, %d = date,
# %H = hour, %M = minute, %S = second, %T = HH:MM:SS,
# %v = event, %q = frame number, %t = thread (camera) number,
# %D = changed pixels, %N = noise level, \n = new line,
# %i and %J = width and height of motion area,
# %K and %L = X and Y coordinates of motion center
# %C = value defined by text_event - do not use with text_event!
# You can put quotation marks around the text to allow
# leading spaces
############################################################
# Locate and draw a box around the moving object.
# Valid values: on, off and preview (default: off)
# Set to 'preview' will only draw a box in preview_shot pictures.
locate off
# Draws the timestamp using same options as C function strftime(3)
# Default: %Y-%m-%d\n%T = date in ISO format and time in 24 hour clock
# Text is placed in lower right corner
text_right %Y-%m-%d\n%T-%q
# Draw a user defined text on the images using same options as C function strftime(3)
# Default: Not defined = no text
# Text is placed in lower left corner
text_left ROOM 216
# Draw the number of changed pixed on the images (default: off)
# Will normally be set to off except when you setup and adjust the motion settings
# Text is placed in upper right corner
text_changes off
# This option defines the value of the special event conversion specifier %C
# You can use any conversion specifier in this option except %C. Date and time
# values are from the timestamp of the first image in the current event.
# Default: %Y%m%d%H%M%S
# The idea is that %C can be used filenames and text_left/right for creating
# a unique identifier for each event.
text_event %Y%m%d%%H%M%S
# Draw characters at twice normal size on images. (default: off)
text_double off
############################################################
# Target Directories and filenames For Images And Films
# For the options snapshot_, jpeg_, mpeg_ and timelapse_filename
# you can use conversion specifiers
# %Y = year, %m = month, %d = date,
# %H = hour, %M = minute, %S = second,
# %v = event, %q = frame number, %t = thread (camera) number,
# %D = changed pixels, %N = noise level,
# %i and %J = width and height of motion area,
# %K and %L = X and Y coordinates of motion center
# %C = value defined by text_event
# Quotation marks round string are allowed.
############################################################
# Target base directory for pictures and films
# Recommended to use absolute path. (Default: current working directory)
target_dir /home/video
# File path for snapshots (jpeg or ppm) relative to target_dir
# Default: %v-%Y%m%d%H%M%S-snapshot
# Default value is equivalent to legacy oldlayout option
# For Motion 3.0 compatible mode choose: %Y/%m/%d/%H/%M/%S-snapshot
# File extension .jpg or .ppm is automatically added so do not include this.
# Note: A symbolic link called lastsnap.jpg created in the target_dir will always
# point to the latest snapshot, unless snapshot_filename is exactly 'lastsnap'
# snapshot_filename %Y%m%d%H%M%S-snapshot
# File path for motion triggered images (jpeg or ppm) relative to target_dir
# Default: %v-%Y%m%d%H%M%S-%q
# Default value is equivalent to legacy oldlayout option
# For Motion 3.0 compatible mode choose: %Y/%m/%d/%H/%M/%S-%q
# File extension .jpg or .ppm is automatically added so do not include this
# Set to 'preview' together with best-preview feature enables special naming
# convention for preview shots. See motion guide for details
jpeg_filename %C
# File path for motion triggered ffmpeg films (mpeg) relative to target_dir
# Default: %v-%Y%m%d%H%M%S
# Default value is equivalent to legacy oldlayout option
# For Motion 3.0 compatible mode choose: %Y/%m/%d/%H%M%S
# File extension .mpg or .avi is automatically added so do not include this
# This option was previously called ffmpeg_filename
movie_filename %C
# File path for timelapse mpegs relative to target_dir
# Default: %Y%m%d-timelapse
# Default value is near equivalent to legacy oldlayout option
# For Motion 3.0 compatible mode choose: %Y/%m/%d-timelapse
# File extension .mpg is automatically added so do not include this
# timelapse_filename %Y%m%d-timelapse
############################################################
# Live Webcam Server
############################################################
# The mini-http server listens to this port for requests (default: 0 = disabled)
# webcam_port 8081
# Quality of the jpeg (in percent) images produced (default: 50)
# webcam_quality 50
# Output frames at 1 fps when no motion is detected and increase to the
# rate given by webcam_maxrate when motion is detected (default: off)
# webcam_motion off
# Maximum framerate for webcam streams (default: 1)
#webcam_maxrate 1
# Restrict webcam connections to localhost only (default: on)
# webcam_localhost on
# Limits the number of images per connection (default: 0 = unlimited)
# Number can be defined by multiplying actual webcam rate by desired number of seconds
# Actual webcam rate is the smallest of the numbers framerate and webcam_maxrate
# webcam_limit 0
############################################################
# HTTP Based Control
############################################################
# TCP/IP port for the http server to listen on (default: 0 = disabled)
# control_port 8080
# Restrict control connections to localhost only (default: on)
# control_localhost on
# Output for http server, select off to choose raw text plain (default: on)
# control_html_output on
# Authentication for the http based control. Syntax username:password
# Default: not defined (Disabled)
; control_authentication username:password
############################################################
# Tracking (Pan/Tilt)
############################################################
# Type of tracker (0=none (default), 1=stepper, 2=iomojo, 3=pwc, 4=generic, 5=uvcvideo)
# The generic type enables the definition of motion center and motion size to
# be used with the conversion specifiers for options like on_motion_detected
track_type 0
# Enable auto tracking (default: off)
track_auto off
# Serial port of motor (default: none)
; track_port value
# Motor number for x-axis (default: 0)
track_motorx 0
# Motor number for y-axis (default: 0)
track_motory 0
# Maximum value on x-axis (default: 0)
track_maxx 0
# Maximum value on y-axis (default: 0)
track_maxy 0
# ID of an iomojo camera if used (default: 0)
track_iomojo_id 0
# Angle in degrees the camera moves per step on the X-axis
# with auto-track (default: 10)
# Currently only used with pwc type cameras
track_step_angle_x 10
# Angle in degrees the camera moves per step on the Y-axis
# with auto-track (default: 10)
# Currently only used with pwc type cameras
track_step_angle_y 10
# Delay to wait for after tracking movement as number
# of picture frames (default: 10)
track_move_wait 10
# Speed to set the motor to (stepper motor option) (default: 255)
track_speed 255
# Number of steps to make (stepper motor option) (default: 40)
track_stepsize 40
############################################################
# External Commands, Warnings and Logging:
# You can use conversion specifiers for the on_xxxx commands
# %Y = year, %m = month, %d = date,
# %H = hour, %M = minute, %S = second,
# %v = event, %q = frame number, %t = thread (camera) number,
# %D = changed pixels, %N = noise level,
# %i and %J = width and height of motion area,
# %K and %L = X and Y coordinates of motion center
# %C = value defined by text_event
# %f = filename with full path
# %n = number indicating filetype
# Both %f and %n are only defined for on_picture_save,
# on_movie_start and on_movie_end
# Quotation marks round string are allowed.
############################################################
# Do not sound beeps when detecting motion (default: on)
# Note: Motion never beeps when running in daemon mode.
quiet on
# Command to be executed when an event starts. (default: none)
# An event starts at first motion detected after a period of no motion defined by gap
on_event_start /home/zmb/bin/audio-rec.sh 1 %C
# Command to be executed when an event ends after a period of no motion
# (default: none). The period of no motion is defined by option gap.
; on_event_end ps -ef | grep arecord | grep plughw:%t | grep -v grep | awk '{print $2}' | xargs kill -9
on_event_end /home/zmb/bin/audio-rec.sh stop; /home/zmb/bin/gst-merge.sh %C
# Command to be executed when a picture (.ppm|.jpg) is saved (default: none)
# To give the filename as an argument to a command append it with %f
; on_picture_save value
# Command to be executed when a motion frame is detected (default: none)
; on_motion_detected value
# Command to be executed when motion in a predefined area is detected
# Check option 'area_detect'. (default: none)
; on_area_detected value
# Command to be executed when a movie file (.mpg|.avi) is created. (default: none)
# To give the filename as an argument to a command append it with %f
; on_movie_start value
# Command to be executed when a movie file (.mpg|.avi) is closed. (default: none)
# To give the filename as an argument to a command append it with %f
; on_movie_end value
# Command to be executed when a camera can't be opened or if it is lost
# NOTE: There is situations when motion doesn't detect a lost camera!
# It depends on the driver, some drivers don't detect a lost camera at all
# Some hang the motion thread. Some even hang the PC! (default: none)
; on_camera_lost value
############################################################
# Video Loopback Device (vloopback project)
############################################################
# Output images to a video4linux loopback device
# The value '-' means next available (default: not defined)
# video_pipe /dev/video1
# Output motion images to a video4linux loopback device
# The value '-' means next available (default: not defined)
# motion_video_pipe /dev/video1
##############################################################
# Thread config files - One for each camera.
# Except if only one camera - You only need this config file.
# If you have more than one camera you MUST define one thread
# config file for each camera in addition to this config file.
##############################################################
# Remember: If you have more than one camera you must have one
# thread file for each camera. E.g. 2 cameras requires 3 files:
# This motion.conf file AND thread1.conf and thread2.conf.
# Only put the options that are unique to each camera in the
# thread config files.
; thread /usr/local/etc/thread1.conf
; thread /usr/local/etc/thread2.conf
; thread /usr/local/etc/thread3.conf
; thread /usr/local/etc/thread4.conf

I use video rotation by the Motion (rotate 180) because my webcam is located on the ceiling upside down.

Also as you can see we use the audiorec.sh script by the Motion start event funciton (onevent_start). This script record audio from WebCam with the Arecord and convert it with the Lame. This is the script:

Besides after the Motion stop recording the stop event trigger (oneventstop) call audio-rec.sh too and gst-merge.sh scripts. First one stop audio record (flag 'stop') and the second is merge audio mp3 and video avi (no-sound) files in one mp4 video file (with-sound). Here is script: